Need to purchase British currency from US
Jun 22nd, 2015, 06:19 AM
#41
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You should be able to find out why your card didn't work if you contact your institution. When my ATM card didn't work when I was overseas a couple of years ago, I phoned the number on the back and they were able to resolve the issue. They could tell where I had attempted to use it. I wouldn't just let this issue lie (or is it lay?)
Does your PIN start with zero? Apparently that causes problems...
Does your PIN start with zero? Apparently that causes problems...
Jun 22nd, 2015, 10:36 AM
#42
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I, too, am dying to know why it did not work.
Did it have a Cirrus or Plus on the back of the card? I'm not talking about some Visa or Mastercard association. You do tend to have to be part of some major ATM network.
I have the most basic possible ATM card, and then only two times it did not work was in Rome, where I then just went down the street to another ATM, and then Prague, where I just went down the street to another ATM.
I stopped calling my bank before I left because then the idiot at the desk would insist that I needed a Mastercard or Visa for it to work. No. So I stopped calling, and guess what! Always worked!
For my credit cards, though, I call. American Express always tells me I do not have to, but I still do.
So please do find out WHY your card could not work. After all, you are intending to travel again, right?
Did it have a Cirrus or Plus on the back of the card? I'm not talking about some Visa or Mastercard association. You do tend to have to be part of some major ATM network.
I have the most basic possible ATM card, and then only two times it did not work was in Rome, where I then just went down the street to another ATM, and then Prague, where I just went down the street to another ATM.
I stopped calling my bank before I left because then the idiot at the desk would insist that I needed a Mastercard or Visa for it to work. No. So I stopped calling, and guess what! Always worked!
For my credit cards, though, I call. American Express always tells me I do not have to, but I still do.
So please do find out WHY your card could not work. After all, you are intending to travel again, right?
Jun 22nd, 2015, 05:45 PM
#43
The only time one of my ATM cards hasn't worked was when getting off the plane at EDI my card was refused. Tried when I got into the city -- still didn't work . . . I did all the right things called bank to tell them the dates I;d be in the UK/4 digit PIN/etc.
But I always carry a back up card(s) so not to worry. When I arrived back home there were 6 calls on my home phone machine each more urgent eventually telling me my account was frozen and I must phone them . . . And the reason? They brainiacs in the fraud department did not know Edinburgh/Scotland was part of the UK.
Got a VERY apologetic call from my branch manager.
But I always carry a back up card(s) so not to worry. When I arrived back home there were 6 calls on my home phone machine each more urgent eventually telling me my account was frozen and I must phone them . . . And the reason? They brainiacs in the fraud department did not know Edinburgh/Scotland was part of the UK.
Got a VERY apologetic call from my branch manager.
Jun 23rd, 2015, 01:01 PM
#44
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Best advice so far...
Carry multiple cards -- both ATM and credit cards. Use one of the credit cards wherever you can (which is most places in London)...I believe it generally gives the best exchange rate--provided you have a card that has no foreign transaction fees. (Capital One has one, but so do many other financial institutions.)
Try the ATM at the airport; if that doesn't work, then get a small amount at the change bureau. The rate will be lousy, but--as stated earlier--for 100 GBP, you're not paying very much extra.
SS
Carry multiple cards -- both ATM and credit cards. Use one of the credit cards wherever you can (which is most places in London)...I believe it generally gives the best exchange rate--provided you have a card that has no foreign transaction fees. (Capital One has one, but so do many other financial institutions.)
Try the ATM at the airport; if that doesn't work, then get a small amount at the change bureau. The rate will be lousy, but--as stated earlier--for 100 GBP, you're not paying very much extra.
SS
